Framing of Provisions by the Work Environment Authority
The Government has described the objectives which the Work Environment Authority is to pursue where Provisions for the work environment are concerned. These Provisions are to create healthy, safe and developmental work environments. They are to be made clearer and more accessible and are to concentrate on fields where Provisions are the best way of improving the work environment. Special consideration is to be given to the situation for SMEs.
Renewal, amendment and amalgamation of Provisions
New knowledge concerning risks and changes in working life, as well as new EU Directives, make the development of Provisions an ongoing task. Above all this is a matter of amalgamating and amending existing Provisions, especially through the creation of overarching Provisions. The overarching Provisions state in general terms what the work environment is to be like, and they facilitate the repeal of a number of Provisions on points of detail.
The Provisions are written by specialists
Centrally within the Work Environment Authority, a hundred or more handling officers specialising, for example, in chemical, psychosocial, ergonomic and technical issues are mainly tasked with drafting Provisions. They also participate, on Sweden’s behalf, in the framing of EC Directives and standards. To maintain their specialist competence, they have to keep abreast of research and development in their respective fields, as well as keeping in close touch with the Authority’s workplace inspectors.
The Provisions are rooted in working life
Regulatory work is generally very time-consuming, concerned as it is with formulating texts which are practically relevant and technically, scientifically and legally correct. In order to canvass viewpoints and discuss and establish new ideas at an early stage, we co-operate closely with the labour market parties, industrial organisations and the appropriate national authorities. The specialists are joined in this work by lawyers, inspectors and information officers. We attach great importance to ensuring that the Provisions are as lucid as possible. The texts are examined by a language expert.
Proposals are circulated for comment
When Provisions have been drafted, the draft version is circulated for comment to the labour market parties, industrial organisations, certain national authorities and others concerned. In addition they are published on the Authority’s website. The circulation (consultation) period lasts for about three months, to give the different organisations time to discuss things with their affiliated unions and member enterprises. Generally a number of alterations are made to the draft version after this circulation process. New Provisions are adopted by the Directorate of the Work Environment Authority. Provisions are printed but are also published on the Authority’s website. They generally enter into force six months after adoption.
Provisions getting less numerous
The Riksdag and Government are calling on national authorities to simplify their regulations and to carefully consider whether a Provision is needed or whether the problems can be solved by other means, e.g. information. Since 1996, therefore, the Work Environment Authority has been steadily working to reduce the number of its Provisions. This endeavour has been successful, reducing the number of sections by 40 per cent. A plan has been drawn up for continuing the process of regulatory simplification. Several Provisions will be amalgamated and many rules will be repealed. The process will also result in a clearer regulatory structure.
